7 Tips to Simplify the User Experience (without Compromising Design)

Users enjoy a webpage that is simple, yet attractive. Even more, it needs to be informative, but needs to have a clean, fresh look to it. Gartner reports that one of the most common user complaints is that the site or software is too difficult to use.

A common inquiry to Gartner is often phrased as: “Users complain that our website is hard to use. What design firms can make a better-looking site?” Or, they say: “Our CEO thinks our employee portal looks ugly. What do other organizations use as a user interface (UI) style?”

Keeping this in mind, here are seven tips that can help create a simpler version of their website.

Identifying these seven user experience tips will help simplify the UX and give you more profit potential.

#1. Avoid “Flashy” Webpage Designs

Sure, you want your webpage to scream, “I am reputable – purchase from me”. However, when creating a webpage, it will be necessary for you to stay mindful of the design. People do not want a webpage that is flashy and has too many aesthetics. A page that has a clean, simple design will triumph in the customer’s mind than a page that has too many graphics.

Gartner analyst, Ray Valdes, states that one of the most detrimental and common UX misconceptions is “believing that design is only about adding features, rather than carefully removing them”.

Flashy webpages cause confusion for the consumer and makes it difficult for them to use the website. A customer wants the reassurance of feeling comfortable using the different features – not frustration from poor web design.

#2. Know What the User Wants

When creating a webpage, it is vital that a company really invests into getting to know their demographic. Know who is purchasing from you so you can make your webpage more accessible to your demographic. Certain webpage designs work better for older generation than younger generations.

Nonetheless, all users still want simplicity. Highlight features that work well for your demographic, but avoid over cluttering the page.

#3. Add Search Boxes and Filters for “Advanced Settings”

Adding advanced settings onto your page will be a necessity. Customers want to know they can easily search for the product they want without having to search for it too heavily. The more work you give your customer to do; they will begin to become dissatisfied with your website. Take time to add in search boxes and filters to help limit the selection down by size, color and brand.

#4. Add visibility to the Navigation Menu

Users enjoy making fewer clicks than more click to get to their destination. Create shorter navigation options, to help the user get to where they want easily. Furthermore, making the navigation menu visible makes the user feel comforted and pacifies them. The navigation menu should be the first thing a user sees when they load your web page. Using a site like WalkMe can help establish the best navigation menu for a business.

#5. Rid Yourself of All Manuals

We are in an age where boring manuals do not suffice. Remove these immediately from your webpage. Offer your customers better service through “How-to” tutorials with pictures. A video can even suffice as a good method to develop a better sense of the manual. Just make it fun and interactive for your consumers.

#6. Choose More Than “Usability”

Customers enjoy having a website that provides more than usability. Although a pertinent aspect of the website, you need to comfort the customers by adding in human responses. Videos and online chat support gives the customer more than usability – it also gives them mobility and dependability in understanding your products.

#7. Layer all Information When Presenting

Each functionality on your website should have its own page. A person does not want to have several functions on one page because it does not offer convenience. Furthermore, it takes longer for webpages to load, adding frustration to a customer.

Use These Tips to Help Build Your Website

When building your webpage, keep these tips in mind. They will help you diversify your selection and give your webpage the extra push it needs to succeed. When deciding to alter anything, ensure you keep the customer in mind, and ask yourself, “Does this benefit my user?”